DHL builds up Asia air network with three freighter purchases

DHL has boosted its Asia air network service with a EUR100-million ($141 million) investment in three Boeing 747-400 converted freighters (BCFs).

The B747-400 BCFs will have a payload capacity of 100 tonnes each and be deployed to the high-capacity routes of Tokyo-Hong Kong, Singapore-Hong Kong, Shanghai-Hong Kong six days a week. The aircraft will be managed by Air Hong Kong, a joint venture by DHL and Cathay Pacific.

At present, two A300-600 freighters, each with a 45-tonne payload, fly directly between Tokyo-Hong Kong and Shanghai-Hong Kong.

By September 2011, the two A300s will be redeployed to the five weekly services between Beijing-Hong Kong and Manila-Hong Kong, replacing two 24-tonne B727-200 freighters that will be retired.

The investment in the three big freighters will increase the company’s capacity, connectivity and service reliability, said Jerry Hsu, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific.

DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, has been making significant investments and service enhancements in the Asia-Pacific region. It announced recently a next-day intercontinental flight between Hong Kong and Cincinnati to meet greater demands for services from South China and Hong Kong to North America.

The company is also scheduled to unveil its North Asia Hub at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport in early 2012.